Tips for Preventing Mud from Tracking Inside Your Home

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

It’s hurricane season, which means mud and dirty everywhere. When it comes to wet weather, you’re going to want to take extra precautions to ensure that your home stays clean and tidy. Here are a few tips for making sure the mud stays outside where it belongs.

Designate a “Mud Room” Entrance

The most obvious thing you can do to prevent mud from tracking into your home is to set designated entrances for muddy feet and paws. Consider the high traffic areas in your home and remove any carpet or furniture from that area that could fall victim to muddy children or dogs. You’ll also want to set up an area for people to clean off with fresh towels and leave their shoes and boots. And don’t underestimate the power of doormats! They can do a lot to reduce dirt from trafficking into your home.

Keep Mud Off Your Floors

It’s a good idea to teach children and dogs early that the door rug is for wiping off feet and paws. A simple boot tray or shoe rack is also an inexpensive solution to muddy shoes and boots. If you don’t have a “no shoe” policy, now might be the time to institute one. Provide guests and family members with slippers to make the transition easy.

Maintain Your Mats

Don’t neglect your doormats either. All you have to do is take them out occasionally for a good shake to get out the dirt and dust. An occasional vacuuming is also a good idea. When mats get really grimy, give them a quick scrubbing with some soapy water, rinse, and air dry. Maintaining your mats will prevent people from picking up more dirt as they enter your home.

Install Gutters and Ground Covers Near Entrances

Ground cover plants can stop mud from trafficking into your home by limiting the amount of bare patches of dirt in your yard. Installing gutters near doorways will also divert roof runoff from pooling outside your entrances. Gutters are an easy way to make sure your guests don’t have to walk through a waterfall to get to your front door.